Homilies

June 29, 2025
Solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul, Apostles (June 29, 2025) Acts 12:1-11; 1Tm 4:6-8; Mt 16:13-19
St. Peter and St. Paul are the principal pillars of the Church. That is why this Sunday (June 29th), we celebrate the feast of their martyrdom, replacing the normal readings for the Thirteenth Sunday [C] in Ordinary Time
The context: Today’s gospel passage is the first of the three times when Jesus foretold his passion, death and resurrection. It consists of two sections, the messianic confession of Peter and the prediction of his Passion by Jesus
Jesus as Christ our Lord and Savior: Today’s Gospel explains the basis of our faith as the acceptance of Jesus as the Christ, our Lord and Savior. It also tells us that Christ Jesus became our Savior by his suffering and death and resurrection. This famous profession of Faith by Peter took place at Caesarea Philippi, at present called Banias, twenty-five miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus realized that if his disciples did not know who he really was, then his entire ministry, suffering and death would be useless. Hence, he decided to ask a question in two parts. 1) “Who do men say that the Son of Man is?”
2) “But who do you say that I am?” Their answer to the first question was: “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Peter volunteered to answer the second question saying: “You are the Christ (Messiah) the Son of the living God.” Jesus confirmed Peter’s insight as a special revelation from God. “No mere man has revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
Life messages: 1) Let us experience Jesus as our Lord and Savior and surrender our life to him. We experience Jesus as personal savior by listening to him through the daily, meditative reading of the Bible, by talking to him through daily, personal and family prayers, by offering him our lives on the altar in frequenting Holy Mass, by being reconciled to Him every night when we ask his pardon and forgiveness for our sins and by receiving the sacrament of reconciliation whenever we are in mortal sin.
2) The next step is the surrender of our lives to Jesus by rendering humble and loving service to others with the strong conviction that Jesus is present in every person.
3) Let us grow in the faith and loyalty of Peter and acquire the missionary zeal of St. Paul